The Government's Renters' Rights Act comes into force today (Friday 1 May), giving new rights and protections to England's 11 million private renters and ending section 21 'no fault' evictions.
The Renters' Reform Coalition (RRC), an alliance of 18 leading housing and renters' organisations, has campaigned for an end to section 21 since its inception in 2020, and hailed the legislation as the "biggest changes to private renting in a generation".
Clara Collingwood, Director at the RRC, said:
"It's fantastic that section 21 no fault evictions have finally been banned. For too long this everyday injustice has allowed landlords to get away with outrageous behaviour - profiting from unhealthy homes and threatening tenants who try to stand up to them. Ending it will fundamentally rebalance the relationship between tenant and landlord, empowering England's 11 million private renters to stand up for our rights without fear.
"And as well as abolishing section 21, the Renters' Rights Act will make it easier for tenants to have pets in their home, limit rent up front to one month, end exploitative practices like bidding wars, end fixed contracts, and ban landlord discrimination against renters who have children or claim benefits. These are the biggest changes to private renting in a generation and will give renters security and peace of mind in our homes.
"It's taken years of campaigning by renters' organisations to get us to this point, and the Renters' Rights Act is a huge step forward. But the Act will not end the cost-of-renting crisis pushing many tenants into poverty - at the Renters' Reform Coalition we won't rest until renters have homes that are affordable as well as decent and secure."
Jen is a renter from Brixham, Devon, whose family have faced multiple section 21 evictions in recent years. She welcomed the news saying the act will give her "greater security, safety, and peace of mind".
Kerrie is a renter from Cambridge who dealt with severe black mould which put her in the hospital. She was later made homeless when she received a section 21 eviction after complaining to the council about her landlord. Kerrie said: "I'm very excited to see the Renters' Rights Act coming into force! A safe and secure home is the foundation of people's lives, and it's about time the law begins to reflect that."
As of Friday 1 May the Renters' Rights Act will:
- End section 21 'no fault' evictions - section 21 powers allow landlords to evict tenants without a reason. Ending this should reduce homelessness and give renters more security in their homes. Landlords will gain new grounds to evict tenants if they are selling the property or moving themselves or a relative in, and will still be able to evict tenants for rent arrears or antisocial behaviour.
- End fixed term contracts - all tenancies in the private rented sector will become periodic rolling contracts without an end date, and tenants will be protected from 'selling or moving in' evictions for the first year of a tenancy. Tenants will also be able to leave with two months’ notice at any time.
- Regulate rent increases - landlords will only be able to raise the rent once a year, and tenants will be able to challenge above-market rent increases at a tribunal.
- Ban bidding wars - properties must not be let for more than the advertised price to prevent landlords or lettings agents pitting renters against each other to push the price up.
- Restrict rent up front to one month max.
- Ban discrimination against letting to tenants on benefits or who have children.
- Allow renters to request pets in their home - landlords must not unreasonably refuse.
Other parts of the Act will come into force at later dates, including a private renters ombudsman, register of private landlords, and requirement for landlords to ensure their properties meet the government's Decent Homes standard.
The Renters' Reform Coalition (RRC), an alliance of 18 leading housing and renters' organisations, has campaigned for an end to section 21 since its inception in 2020, and hailed the legislation as the "biggest changes to private renting in a generation".
Clara Collingwood, Director at the RRC, said:
"It's fantastic that section 21 no fault evictions have finally been banned. For too long this everyday injustice has allowed landlords to get away with outrageous behaviour - profiting from unhealthy homes and threatening tenants who try to stand up to them. Ending it will fundamentally rebalance the relationship between tenant and landlord, empowering England's 11 million private renters to stand up for our rights without fear.
"And as well as abolishing section 21, the Renters' Rights Act will make it easier for tenants to have pets in their home, limit rent up front to one month, end exploitative practices like bidding wars, end fixed contracts, and ban landlord discrimination against renters who have children or claim benefits. These are the biggest changes to private renting in a generation and will give renters security and peace of mind in our homes.
"It's taken years of campaigning by renters' organisations to get us to this point, and the Renters' Rights Act is a huge step forward. But the Act will not end the cost-of-renting crisis pushing many tenants into poverty - at the Renters' Reform Coalition we won't rest until renters have homes that are affordable as well as decent and secure."
Jen is a renter from Brixham, Devon, whose family have faced multiple section 21 evictions in recent years. She welcomed the news saying the act will give her "greater security, safety, and peace of mind".
Kerrie is a renter from Cambridge who dealt with severe black mould which put her in the hospital. She was later made homeless when she received a section 21 eviction after complaining to the council about her landlord. Kerrie said: "I'm very excited to see the Renters' Rights Act coming into force! A safe and secure home is the foundation of people's lives, and it's about time the law begins to reflect that."
As of Friday 1 May the Renters' Rights Act will:
- End section 21 'no fault' evictions - section 21 powers allow landlords to evict tenants without a reason. Ending this should reduce homelessness and give renters more security in their homes. Landlords will gain new grounds to evict tenants if they are selling the property or moving themselves or a relative in, and will still be able to evict tenants for rent arrears or antisocial behaviour.
- End fixed term contracts - all tenancies in the private rented sector will become periodic rolling contracts without an end date, and tenants will be protected from 'selling or moving in' evictions for the first year of a tenancy. Tenants will also be able to leave with two months’ notice at any time.
- Regulate rent increases - landlords will only be able to raise the rent once a year, and tenants will be able to challenge above-market rent increases at a tribunal.
- Ban bidding wars - properties must not be let for more than the advertised price to prevent landlords or lettings agents pitting renters against each other to push the price up.
- Restrict rent up front to one month max.
- Ban discrimination against letting to tenants on benefits or who have children.
- Allow renters to request pets in their home - landlords must not unreasonably refuse.
Other parts of the Act will come into force at later dates, including a private renters ombudsman, register of private landlords, and requirement for landlords to ensure their properties meet the government's Decent Homes standard.